Selector.



No. 690577. Patented lan. 7, 1902. K. HIMROD, J. R. TUCKER & C. C.H'INCKLEY.

S E L E C T 0 R (Application filed Eat. 10. 1899.)

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Patented Jan, 7, 1902;

K. .HIMROD, J. VR.TUCKER a c.-c. HINKLEY. SELECTOB".

(Application filed Mar. 10, 189 9.)

No. &90,5'77.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-'Sheet 4.

No. !590,577. I Fatented. lami-,1902. 'K. HIMROD, J. E. TUCKEB & C. C. H|NCKLEY.

SELECTOB.

(Application filed Mar. 10, 1899.)

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(Application filed m. 19, 1899. (N flpdeh) i 6 shuem-Sheet 6.

THE NQRHIS prru co'. MOTO-uma WMHINGTON, D. a.

'UNITED' STATES:

'PATENT FFICE.

KIRK HIMROD,- OF CHIOAGO, ANDNJOHN R. TUOKER AND CHARLES c. IIINCKLEY,or AURORA, VIPLLINOIS,` ASSIGNORS TO THE INTERNA- TIoNAL' TYPALTELEGRAPH COMPANY, or DETROIT,MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF, MICHIG-AN; v i

r SELECTO R.

SPEGIEIGATION forming part of Letters ;Patenta No. 690577, dated January7,1902.

Application filed March 10, 1899;

To aZZ whom it may cancer-n.-

' Be it known that we, KIRK HIMROD, of

Chicago, in the country of Cook, and JOHN R. v

'for use in connection with printing-telegraph,

apparatns,and particularly apparatus for this purpose employing thesystem suggested by Baudot, wherein there are trans'nitted for eachcharacter over a single line a series of electrical impulses ofsubstantially equal duration, (five or more,) some of one polarity andsome of the other polarity, each character being distinguished from allthe other char acters bya particular permutation of the impulses, andwherein these impulses act upon a selecting mechanism at the receivingend of the line and so adjust it as to cause the operation of theprinting mechanism to print the particular character. When used with aprinting-telegraph system of the Baudot type, the selector will belocated between the receivin g apparatus andpreferablya distributer, thelatter being unaffected by impulses of one polarity, but distributing'local currents to the selector when affected by impulses of theopposite polarity, whereby the particular selector-magnets correspondingto the desired pernutationof the signal will be actuated.

'In an application for Letters Patent filed on even date herewith' wehave described and claimed certain improvements in relay-distributerswhich are well adapted for use in combination with our im provedselector. The

improved selector may, however, be operated` by any other constrictionof distributer, or a distributer may be dispensed with if there is asingle line-wire for each selector-magnet, as has also been suggested.

While our invention is adapted for use in 'connection withprinting-telegraph appara Serial No. 708.599. (No model.)

i tus, it can be employed in connection With other devices which itmaybe desired to control from a distance. With'five character imnagnets,and it will become possible to secure thirty-two distinct combinationsfor the control of a corresponding number of individual devices,such asthe printing-magnets of a telegraph-receiver, the elements of a torpedo,of a typesetting machine, or of any other apparatus The'essential objectof our invention is to sim plify the 'Construction and improve theefficiency of a selector. To this end we employ thirty-twoselector-plates, (assuming that there are five selector-magnets,) whichplates will be arranged circunterentially with re pulses the selectorwill employ five selectorspect to a selector-shaft carrying an armhaving a brush adapted to make contact with any one of saidselector-plates.` The selector-shaft is placed under Stress, but islocked from rotation by means of looking devices controlled by theselector-magnets. When the first selector-magnet is energized to operateits lock, the selector-shaft will be allowed to turn, noving the brush aspace of sixteen plates. The energization of the second selector-magnetallows the brush tomove eight plates, that of the thirdselector-magnetfour plates, that of the fourth selector- -maguet twoplates and that of the fifth selector-magnet one plate. By energizingany ;one or combination of the selector-magnets it `will thus becomepossible to permit the 'shifting of the selector-shaft to carry thebrush into engagement With any one of the selector-plates. For example,assuming the brush to normally rest upon the first plate and it beingdesired to move it to the twentyseventh plate, this movement will bebrought about by the energization of the first, second, and fourthselector-magnets.` The selector- .9 magnets are arranged radally wthrespect to the selector-shaft, and all the main parts are inclosed in asuitable (preferably cylindrical) casing, whereby we secure a very com-V pact, simple, and efiective device.

Another object of `our invention isto improve the operation, by means ofa selector, of a printing-telegraph receiver or any other desiredcontrolled device, to effect which we arrange a selector having a seriesof thirtytwo plates, (when five selector-magnets are employed,) any oneof which is adapted to be engaged by a brush carried on the selectorarmand arranged to close a local circuit to accomplish the desiredresult--such, for example, as the operation of a key-magnet 'n thereceiver. The closing of this cirouit is eifected in any suitable way,but preferably from a distributer. We are therefore enabled to effectthe control of a printing-telegraph receiver or other device and at thesame time to employ a minimum number of breaks in thecontrolling-circuits.

A further object of the invention is to increase the speed of operationof a selector, which 'result we secure in part by Operating theselector-arm by a spring placed under tension during the resetting orrestoring operation.

A further objcct of the invention is the pro- 'Visior of improved meansfor restoring or retiirning the selector-arm after the printing orcontrolling circuit has been operated. To ei'- fect this, we provide theselector-shaft with a normally disengaged friction-clutch connected witha suitable source of power, such as an electric motor, but adapted to beactively connected to the selectorshaft by the energization of arestoring-magnet operated, preferably, from the distributer.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved connectionsbetween the selector-shaft and the selector-magnets for permitting thegraduated movements of the selector-shaft necessary for the selection ofany 'particular one of thirty-two plates. For this purpose we employ onthe selector-shaft a series of six disks, the upper one being connectedtothe shaft and the lower one to a stationary abutment. Each of the fiveupper disks carries a detent normally engaging a recess in the adjacentdisk, which detents are adapted to be operated to disengage them fromthe said recesses by the energization of the'respectiveselector-magnets. The adjacent disks also carry stops on theircontiguons surfaces which permit them to rotate relatively when releasedby the operation of the' detent to an extent dependent upon theparticular disk. When the detent for the upper disk is released, thesaid disk, carrying the shaft with it, will be rotated to an extentequal to siXteen selector-plates, &0. Since all the disks will benormally locked together, it will be possible to operate the detent ofany one of the disks to secure a movement of the selector-shaftcorresponding to the particular selector-magnet energized. Thisparticular looking mechanisn which we have invented is Very simple inits Construction, maybe operate'd with great rapidity, since the onlyload imposed on the selector-magnets is the elevation of the respectivedetents, and is very durable in character.

In order that our invention may be better understood, attention isdire'cted to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification, and in which- Figure l represents a section through thecasing of the selector, showing the selectorshaft, disks, andselector-magnets in perspective; Fig. 2, a vertical sectional Viewthrough the selector; Fig. 3, a plan view of the selector, showing theselector-plates and selector-arm; Fig. 4, a bottom view of the selector,showing the restoring-magnet and the operatingpulley; Fig. 5, a plan ofthe interior of the selector, showing the selector-magnets, disks, andselectorshaft; Fig. 6, an under View showingtheconnectionsto theselector-plates; Fig. 7, a perspective View showing the bottom face ofthe upper disk and the top face of the second disk; Fig. 8, a similarview showing the bottom face of the second disk and the top face of thethird disk; Fig. 9, a` similar view showing the bottom face of the thirddisk and the top face of the fourth disk; Fig. 10, a similar Viewshowing the bottom face of the fourth disk and the top face of the fifthdisk; Fig. 11, a similar View showing the bottom face of the fifth diskand the top face of the sixth disk; and Fig. 12, a diagrammatic View ofthe main operative parts of the selector, showing circuit connections totlirtytwo controlled magnets.

In all of the above views corresponding parts are represented by thesame numerals of reference.

201 'represents a base having the vertical standards 202,to which a topplate 203 is secured. A cylindrical casing 204 is preferably locatedbetween the top plate and base for inclosing the selector-magnets,disks, &0. 205 are oiling-tubes leading to the interior. The base 201 isformed with a central support 206, and mounted in said support andin thetop plate 203 is a selector-shaft 207. The selector-shaft carries an arm208 at its upper end, and the said arm carries a brush 209 in theslotted head 210, in which is located a spring 211 for pressing thebrush 209 into contact with the selector-plates 212 and thecollecting-ring 213. The selector-plates 212 (of which there are 32) andthe collectingring 213 are carried by the insulated disk 214, Secured tothe top plate 203.

215 is a spring-barrel secured against rotation to the top plate 203,and located in the said barrel is a spring 216, connecting the barrelwith the selector-shaft. The spring 216 is normally maintained undertension and tends to sweep the brush 209 over all the selector-plates.

The selector-arm 208 is insulated from the selector-shaft by a bushing217 and isheld in place by the expanding-screw 218, which forces thesplit ends of the selector-shaft into 'engagement with theinsnlatingbushing.

IIO

&90,577 t relative engaging movement thereof to prevent the possibilityof the friction-clutch becoming jammed in operation. The restorin'gshaft'221 is elevated toengage the elements of the friction-clutch togetherwhen it is desired to restore the selector-arm. We therefore employ arestoring-magnet 226, 'the armature-lever 227 of which is borne upon bya steel ball 228, mounted in arecess in the lower end of therestoring-shaft. This makes a very durable antifriction bearing.Retracted movement of the armature-level' 227 is limited by a stop 229.

It will be observed that when the magnet 226 is energized, assuming therestoringshaft to be constantly rotating, the elements of thefriction-clutch will be engaged together, turning the selector shaftagainst the tension of the spring 216. The selectorshaft carri'es sixdisks between the standard 206 and the top plate 203. These disks,starting from the top, are numbered, respectively, 230, 231, 232, 233,234, and 235. The top disk 230'is pinned to the selector-shaft, asshown, and the bottom disk 235 is Secured to or made integral with thetop of the standard 206. These disks are engaged together, one on top ofthe othe'. The disk 230 carries a projecting detent 236, having' a bendat its center to clear the selector-shaft and working between lugs 237237 and 238 238, The forward end of this detent normally rests inarecess 239, so as to lock the disk 230 to the disk 231. When the detent236 is'elevated at its forward end, it will. be lifted out of the recess239, allowing the disk (and the selectorshaft also, since the' two areconnected together,) to turn .with respect to the disk 231 untilone ofthe lugs 237 and one of the lugs 238 engage the lugs 240 240 on the disk231. These interengaging lugs are so disposed as to allow the disks 230and 231 to be moved relatively to each other to an extent equal tosixteen selector-plates. The disk 231 carries on its under surface acorresponding projecting detent 241, engaging 'a recess 242 in the uppersurface ofthe disk 232, 'these disks being provided with interengaginglugs so disposed relatively to the recess 242 as to allow the disks 231and 232 to be moved relatively to each other when released to an extentequal to eight selector-plates. The under surface of the disk 232carries a projecting detent 243, which engages a recess 244 in the uppersurface of the disk 233, these disks being also provided withinterengaging lugs,

allowing a relative movement of the two disks to an extent equal to fourselector-plates. The disk 233 c'arries on its under surface a projectingdetent 245,engaging a recess 246 in the disk 234,saiddisks beingprovided withinterengaging lugs, permitting a relative motion'thereofequal to two selector-plates. The disk 2-34is provided on its undersurface with a projecting detent 247, engaging a recess' 248 in the disk235, said disks being also provided with interengaging lugs, permittinga relative movement thereof equal to one selector-plate. The relativemovements of the selector-shaft allowed by the successive operation ofall the detents above referred to are illustrated by the dotted lines inFig. 3. Normallythe several detents will be in engagement with theirrespective'recesses, so that the disks will be all locked together, andsince the upper disk is connected to the shaft and the lower disk to astationary abutment the shaft will' be locked against rotation with thespring 216 under tension and the brush 209 restin'g on the firstselector-plate. If the detent 236 is lifted to be disengaged from therecess'239, 4

the spring 216 will immediatelyturn the shaft to an 'extent equal tosixteen plates. If, for instance, the detent 247 of the disk 234 is nowelevated, the spring 216 will turn the se;-

lector-shaft an extent equal to an additonal plate. It thus becomespossible by Operating any one or more of the detents to secure anydesired movement of the'Selector-shaft and to bring the brush 209 intocontact with any one of the selector-plates. The several de-' tents areadapted to be actuated by selectormagnets 249, the armature-levers 250of whichare pivoted and-normally rest beneath the projecting ends of theseveral detents; but when any one of said selector-magnets is energizedits armature-leverwill elevate its respective detent to allow thedesired movement of the selector-sl'aft. Asshown in the drawings, theseveral ,selector-magnets are IOO IIO

arranged in different vertical planes to bring their armatures in linewith 'the several detents. The several detents are normally maintainedin their depressed position by springs 251, (see Fig. 1,) carried by thesame disks to which the detents are connected. In order to allow for theeasy restoration of the selector-shaf t, the detents are preferablypro.- vided on their extended ends with rounded surfaces' 252, whicheng'age corresponding surfaces 253 on the armature-lover& so that if theselector should be restored before one`of the ar'mature-levers of theselector-magnets has returned to its normal position the ,engagement ofthe rounded surfaces 252 and 253 will immediately depress thearmature-lever and allow the detent to be forced by its spring intoengagement withits correspondingrecess.

The selector-plates 212 are insulated from each other and are connectedwith the wires 254, as shown in Fig, 6, such w'ires being arranged in a'channel formed in the insulated' 'disk 214. In Fig. 12 we illustrateeach of the selector-plates as being connected to a magnet 255,thirty-two of such magnets being shown and being used for any desiredpurpose. By energizing any one or more of the selector-magnets the brush209 will be moved to the desired selector-plate, and by then closing acircuit, including the ring 213 and such selector-plate, the desiredmagnet will be energized. We illustrate the selector-magnets in separatecircuits 256, which extend to any desired form of distributer or each ofwhich is a separate line-circuit or a local circuit controlled by arelay in a separate line-circuit. We also illustrate a circnit-maker 257in circuit with a local battery 258 and the collecting-ring 213, wherebyupon the operation of the circuit maker 257 the circuit will be closedthrough the particular selector-plate and magnet with which it isconnected. WVe illustrate the restoring-magnet in a separate circuit259, operated in any suitable way, but preferably by the distributerimmediately following the closure of the printing or controllingcircuit.

The operation of our inproved seleetor will be as follows: Normally theclutch for theselector-shaft will be disengaged, the restoringshaft willbe rotating, the brush 209 will be resting upon the firstselector-plate, and the selector-shaft will be held from rotation underthe tension of the spring 216 by the locking together of the severaldisks. By now energizing one of the selector-magnets or by successivelyenergizing two or more of such selector-magnets one or more of thedetents 236 241 243 2455 247 will be elevated to release it from itscoperatin g recess and allow a relative movement of the released disk ordisks to an extent dependent upon the seleetor magnet or magnets whichmay have been energized. The release of the disks allows the spring 216to rapidly move the selector-shaft until the interengaging lugs arrestmotion thereoi', with the brush 209 hearing upon the desiredselector-plate. By any suitable device the circuit will now be closedthrough the particular selector-plate on which the brush may be restingand will energize its corresponding magnet to accomplish the desiredwork. After this the restoring-magnet will be energized, attracting itsarmature-lever 227 and engaging the two sections of the friction-clutchtogether. This will rotate the restoring-shaft in the oppositedirection, placing the spring 216 again under tension and returning thebrush until it once again bears upon the first plate, the parts beingheld in this position by the engagement of the several detents withtheir coperating grooves. By interposing a frictionconnection betweenthe power and the seleetor shafts the restoringshaft 221 will be allowedto rotate, notwithstanding the locking of the selector-shaft when itreaches its normal position, but the circuit controlling therestoring-magnet will be so controlled as to be broken as soon aspracticable after the restoring-shaft is fully restored, so as 'toprevent unnecessary wear. We find in practice that our device issusceptible of high speed, and it has been su'liiciently tested inactual use as to demcnstrate its durability and general cfficiency.

It will of course be understood that instead of connecting to theselector-shaft a contact device arranged to make circuit connection withany one of a series of plates, as we describe, it will be possible tooperate other electrical or mechanical devices from said selector-shaft.For example, a type-wheel or segment may be mounted directly upon saidshaft, any letter thereon being brought into printing position byencrgizing one or more of the selector-magnets.

Having now described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In a selector, the combination with a selector-shaft normallymaintained under spring tension, of a series of locking devicesmaintaining the shaft normally against movement and adapted whenoperated to allow movement of the selector-shaft to differentpredetermined extents, a seleetor-magnet for each of said lockingdevices, a series of selector-plates, and a contact device carried bythe selector-shaft and adapted to make contact with any one of saidselector-plates, substantially as set forth.

2. In a seleetor, the combination with a seleetor shaft normallymaintained under spring tension, of a series of locking devicesmaintaining the shaft normally against movement and adapted whenoperated to allow movement of the selector-shaft to differentpredetermined extents, a seleetor-magnet for each of said lockingdevices, a series of selector-plates, a contact device ca'ried by theselector-shaft and adapted to make contact with any one of saidselector-plates, and means to restore the selector-shaft to its normalposition to again maintain the same under tension, substantially as setforth.

3. In a seleetor, the combination with a selector-shaft,of a series oflocking devices adapted to lock the shaft normally against novement butwhen released to permit varying and predetermined extents of movementthereof, a series of selector-magnets for operatin g said lockingdevices, a series of seleetorplates circumferentially arranged withrespect to said shaft, an arm carried by the shat't, a brush adapted tomake contact successively with the selector-plates, and a spring forturning the selector-shaft when released by the operation of any one ormore of said locking devices, substantially as set forth.

4. In a seleetor, the combination with a selector-shaft, of a series oflocking devices adapted to lock the shaft normally against movement butwhen released to pertnit varying and predetermined extents of movementthereof, a series of selector-magnets for operating said lockin gdevices, a series of seleetorplates circumferentially arranged with re-IIO &90,577

spect to said shaft, an arm carried by the shaft, a brush adapted tomake contact successively with the selector-plates, a spring for turningthe selector-shaft when released by the operation of any one or more ofsaid locking devices, and means forwindin g said spring andsimultaneously restoring the selectorshaft to its normal position,substantially as set forth.

5. In a selector, the'combination with a se'- lector-shaft, of a seriesof selector-plates, a contact device carried by the selector-shaft andengaging said selector-plates, a series of looking devices carried bythe selector-shaft normally lockin g the same against movement butadapted when operated to permit varying but predeternined extents ofnovement of said shaft, a series of selector-magnets radially disposedwith respect to said shaft for Operating said locking devices, a springconnected to said shaft for rotating the same, a continually-rotatingrestoring-shaft, a clutch between said restoring-shaft and'theselectorshaft, and a magnet for Operating said restoring-shaft,substantially as set forth.

6. In a selector, the combination with a selector-shaft carrying adevice to be controlled, of a series of disks carried by theselectorshaft,a series of detents carried by said disks and engagingrecesses in the adjacent disks, interlocking lugs on said diskspermitting graduated relative movements thereof, a series ofselector-magnets for Operating said detents, and means for turning theselectorshaft, substantially as set forth.

7. Ina selector, the combination with a selector-shaft, a series ofselector-plates and a contact device carried by the selector-shaft andengaging said plates, of a series of disks carried by theselector-shaft, a series of detents carried by said disks and engagingre cesses in the adjacent disks, interlocking lugs on said diskspermittin g graduated relative movements thereof, a series ofselector-magnets for Operating said detents, and means for turning theselector-shaft, substantially as set forth.

8. In a selector, the combination with a selector-shaft carrying adevice to be controlled, of a series of disks carried by theselectorshaft, a series of detents carried by said disks and en'gagingrecesses in the adjacent disks, interlocking lugs on said diskspermitting graduated relative movements thereof, a series ot' selectormagnets arranged radially around the selector-shaft in difierentvertical planes for Operating said detents, and means for turning theselector-shaft, substantially as set forth.

9. In a selector, the combination with a selector-shaft carrying adevice to be controlled, of a series of disks earried by theselectorshaft, a series of detents carried by said disks and engagingrecesses in the adjacent disks, in terlocking lugs on said diskspermitting gradnated relative movements thereof, a series ofselector-magnets for Operating said detents, and a spring for turningthe selectorshaft, substantially as set forth. 4

10. The combination with a selector having a series of selector-plates,of a collectingring mounted adjacent to said selector-plates, a brushContacting with said collecting-ring and selector-plates and adapted tobe engaged with any one of said plates, a series of selector-magnetscontrolling the position 'of said brush, a series of controlling-magnetseach connected with one of said plates, and'a circuit-maker in circuitwith the collecting-ring and the controlling-magnets for closing thecircuit through any selected magnet, substan tially as set forth.

ll'. In a selector, the combination with aselector-shaft, of a contactdevice carried by said shaft, a series of selector plates with whichsaid contact device engages,"a spring for turning said shaft and meansfor positively reversing said shaft to wind said spring, substantiallyas set forth.

12. In a selector, the combination with a selector-shaft, of a contactdevice carried by said shaft, a series of selectorplates with which saidcontact device engages, a spring for turnin g said shaft, and powerconnections for positively restoring the' selector-shaft to thereby putthe spring under tension, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 7th day of February, 1899.

KIRK HIMROD. JOHN R. TUOKER. OHARLES C. HINCKLEY.

Witnesses:

W. J. TYERS, J. W. TUCKER.

